Staff Reports
President Joe Biden recently came under fire from Papua New Guinea after making inaccurate statements about his uncle’s experience in the country during World War II. In a speech, Biden recounted a story of his uncle’s plane crashing in an area infested with cannibals, which contradicts official records stating that the crash was due to engine failure and occurred in the ocean, not near cannibals. Additionally, Biden claimed to have found pieces of the plane during a visit to the country, although there is no evidence to support this claim.
The President’s remarks have caused a diplomatic incident with Papua New Guinea, with many residents and academics expressing outrage. Critics argue that Biden’s comments perpetuate bigoted stereotypes about the country and its people, portraying it as a backward island nation populated by cannibals. This has sparked widespread offense and condemnation from the proud people of Papua New Guinea, who find such categorizations unacceptable and offensive.
Political science lecturer Michael Kabuni emphasized the pride of the Melanesian people and the inaccuracy of Biden’s implications. He stated that the portrayal of Papua New Guinea based on outdated stereotypes is disrespectful and unacceptable. Furthermore, economics lecturer Maholopa Laveil highlighted the detrimental impact of Biden’s remarks on the already strained relations between the United States and Papua New Guinea. Laveil expressed concerns that the false claims made by the U.S. President were likely to worsen the country’s image and influence its international standing.
Despite the widespread backlash, some individuals in Papua New Guinea expressed a more forgiving attitude toward Biden’s comments. East Sepik Gov. Allan Bird, a leading opposition politician, found the situation more amusing than offensive and attributed Biden’s remarks to childhood influences. However, the general sentiment in Papua New Guinea remains one of disappointment and frustration over the misrepresentation of their country by the President of the United States.
The controversy surrounding Biden’s comments comes at a time when Papua New Guinea’s strategic importance is on the rise, with its growing population, natural resources, and potential role as an ally against China attracting attention from global powers. Consequently, the diplomatic fallout from Biden’s statements has significant implications for U.S. relations with Papua New Guinea and its position in the broader geopolitical landscape.
